Chief operating officer says industry talk about the club is rife. Mark Ashton says there is plenty of industry chatter about Bristol City which he believes will aid the club’s recruitment drive. The club’s chief operating officer Mark Ashton points to the soon-to-be-completed Ashton Gate stadium redevelopment project as just one reason why interest in City is high. The fact their 2016 form has been so good, the majority of which with Lee Johnson at the helm, is another big selling factor. “I think there are a lot of people out there at the moment looking over the fence at Bristol City and thinking ‘there’s something good going on there’,” he told bcfc.co.uk. “They see an amazing stadium project about to be completed, the facilities we’ll have to use from next season are fantastic and I can’t thank the people behind the redevelopment enough; they’ve left no stone unturned. “You also look at the amount of Academy players who have been involved in the first team and you see that pathway being developed, enabling young players to get a chance if they’re good enough. “On the pitch, since January, our form has been ultra-competitive, up there with the best in the division. So I think all in all people are looking and thinking ‘there’s something happening in Bristol’. “Bristol City is a big club…it could be a very big club. When we talk to players and show them the future here, it certainly helps us when it comes to recruiting talent into Ashton Gate.” He added: “Our phones are very busy and I’m surprised with the amount of enquiries we’re getting from agents with regards to their players wanting to join Bristol City. “We have to make sure they’re the right players of course. When you look at the intrigue in the industry about Bristol City, it’s our job to make sure we do our jobs by getting the right players on board to build sustainable success.” http://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/article/people-excited-by-bristol-city-ashton-3114574.aspx
It's all great and very positive in theory. The proof of the pudding will be the quality of player we can attract and if we can improve on our league position next season,
Wiz, it does sound good. I'll wait till August and see if actions have matched his words. For me he comes across just a little to smooth. My distrust comes from having believed vague promises from City for a very long time. Still, one day we'll get it right and who knows it may be with Ashton, Lansdown and Junior.
Agrree with RedPrintt, comes across as someone who loves his corporate buzzwords. We'll see if players are interested in city by our transfer dealings.
He does love his buzzwords but he doesn't come across as an idiot and I feel only an idiot would come out with these sort of statements at a start of a transfer window without some inclination that he has something in the pipeline.
Put the players on the pitch,the talk is good,let's see the players arrive. We have been waiting a long long time for a place in the top league. Let's hope your talk is followed by signings to take us to the next level.
Straight from the Alastair Campbell school of spin!! As others have said, actions must follow the words!
'He said the same about the manager applicants as well' As did SL, we were told we'd had 'numerous applicants' looking to join the 'project'. And then after 4 weeks we employed a 'Head Coach' from L1 with little experience. He carried on with Pembo's changes and so far so good, excellent in fact and particularly liked Junior's inclusion of Vyner and Dowling. Junior was SL's appointment, nobody else, and he must back him too the hilt, not hang him out to dry. I have a feeling we'll be looking at L1 and Scottish League players, very risky in my view. Proof of the pudding with both Ashton and Junior will become clearer this summer and the first dozen games next season.
There are Jamie Vardy's out there waiting to be snapped up and fulfil their untapped potential, but you don't want a team full of 'prospects' at this level.
'There are Jamie Vardy's out there waiting to be snapped up' 'Snapped up' for £1million from non league. One brave decision by Leicester City. 'you don't want a team full of 'prospects' at this level' Hope SL and Ashton are reading this.
Not that brave to be honest. £1m to all Premiership, and to most Championship clubs is a drop in the proverbial ocean. If he hadn't made it, Leicester would still have got a portion of their investment back.
